The Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction (DSAEC) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is seeking a highly motivated doctoral student in architectural engineering, specializing in architectural illumination, to begin in Fall 2026. This PhD opportunity is ideal for candidates with a strong background in architectural engineering, architectural lighting, or illumination engineering, and who hold an M.S. degree in a relevant engineering discipline. The research will be supervised by Dr. Tony Esposito, Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Research topics may include the impact of light on human health and well-being, light pollution effects on flora and fauna, subjective human impressions of lighting (such as color rendition, glare, and flicker), and city-scale lighting measurement and analysis. Emphasis is placed on psychophysical experimentation, metrology, and the development of design and implementation strategies to enhance positive impacts and reduce negative effects of lighting. The research environment is collaborative, and students will have the opportunity to work both independently and as part of a team at the Peter Kiewit Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. Applicants should have experience with computer programming, psychophysical research methods, and experimental design. Strong organizational skills, motivation, creativity, and excellent communication abilities are essential. The position prepares graduates for careers in architectural lighting design, illumination engineering, or related fields. The application deadline is March 30, 2026. Interested candidates should email their CV to Dr. Tony Esposito at [email protected] and review the graduate admissions instructions and program-specific requirements on the university website. Funding details are not specified and may depend on available resources.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, specializing in architectural illumination. This opportunity, supervised by Dr. Tony Esposito (Assistant Professor), focuses on the impacts of light and lighting on humans and the environment. Research areas may include the effects of light on human health and well-being, light pollution's impact on flora and fauna, subjective human impressions such as color rendition and glare, and city-scale lighting solutions for safety and crime reduction. Emphasis is placed on psychophysical experimentation, metrology, and the development of strategies to enhance positive impacts and reduce negative ones. The ideal candidate will have an M.S. degree in a relevant engineering discipline, with a strong background in architectural engineering, lighting, or illumination engineering. Experience with computer programming, psychophysical research methods, and experimental design is valuable. Candidates should be independent, organized, motivated, creative, and possess excellent communication skills. The position is based at The Peter Kiewit Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, with a start date in Fall 2026. While funding details are not explicitly provided, the position is a graduate assistantship and the research topic may depend on funding availability. Interested applicants should email their CV to Dr. Tony Esposito at [email protected] and review the graduate admissions instructions and program-specific requirements on the university website. The application deadline is March 30, 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in advancing research in architectural lighting, environmental impacts of illumination, and human-centric lighting design.